South-East European regional pharmaceutical conference : report on a WHO meeting, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 27-28 February 2006

Abstract

Representatives from the Ministries of Health and the medicines agencies from the countries in South eastern Europe participated in the South East Europe Pharmaceutical Conference organised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 27-28 February 2006. The conference was part of the collaborative project executed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Governments in Bosnia Herzegovina, funded by the European Commission, on health sector development in Bosnia Herzegovina, which included a large pharmaceutical component. On the first day was the official delegates from the Ministries and the regulatory authorities discussed the current issues in the pharmaceutical sector and opportunities for collaboration in the region. The second day was for a broader audience and addressed a range of policy issues, and the possibilities for collaboration through a Council on Medicines for South East Europe. The meeting concluded on the need and usefulness to have a more permanent platform for collaboration on pharmaceutical policies through the establishment of a Council on Medicines. This will be discussed with the authorities in the Ministries and with external donors for possible support; and the collaboration will be taken up within the framework of the Stability Pact